Improvement in steam-geneeatok watee-gauges



JOHN s. HUNTER, 0F. rtAnTFonnj CONNECTICUT' Letters 'Patent No. 73,250, dated January 14, 1858. u

improvement In STEAM-GENERATOR WATER-cunetas.

'To ALL wHoM in MAY CONCERN:

'Bue it known Athat I, JOHN S. HUNTR, of Hartford, `in the county of Hartford, and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Improvement in Water-Gauge for Steam-Boilers; and I do hereby declare the following,

when taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part oi' this specification, and represent, in-

Figure 1, a. front view,

Figure k2 a side view, v

Figure 3 a vertical central section,.and in Figures 4 and 5, sectional views ofthe cocks to illustrate the operation. A

This invention is designed to denote the height of water in steam-boilers, andv other similar purposes, its

.object being to construct the gauge so that it may be readily freed from obstructions which naturally flow into the cocks or tube, and consists in the peculiar arrangement ofthe cocks, whereby the whole or either part .may be quickly relieved from anyeobstructio'n. v In order to the clear understanding of my invention, I will proceed to describe the same as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. i I

A represents the boiler-head or the sides ofthe vessel to which the gauge is placed to indicate ythe position of the duid therein; B 'is the upper head, and C the lower head, 4each fixed to the boiler-head, and :communieating through the neck D directly into the boiler, and each provided with its 'cock b and c. Between the two heads is arranged a glass tube, E, fitting tightly into a neckou the hea-ds B, as denoted in the drawings, and the said tube is protected by rods F or othe'rwiseto prevent its .accidental breakage. The two cocks Z1 and c are what are termed threewaycocks, and when'turned intho position denoted infigs. 1, 2, and 3,-an opening is formedaround through the tube intethe boiler above andfbelow the'water-line, as seen in tig. 3.l In this positionthe waterrises inthe tube to 'the level of the water in the boiler, und so remains, always indica-ting the exact position ofthe water. Thus far my gauge Ais not unlike gauges now in use.

. f1.; In this class of gauges a diiculty frequently arises from obstructions in some of' the several parts, there- `fore making it uncertain as to the positive working of the gauge, there being no way provided -for a speedy or immediate relief from such obstructions'. Separate cocks have been applied to each ofthe heads, so as to communicate directly through, but this makes a complication of parts,and does not fully accomplish the desired result,

inasmuch as the tube cannot itself be relieved. To fully/'accomplish the desired result, I-form upon the two heads, opposite their respective necks D, anozzle, G, having an opening corresponding to the opening through the neck, so that when the,coe k is turned to the position'denoted` in fig. 5, it makes an opening directly from' the boiler out into the atmospheie,-and in this position any obstruction therein would be qucklyireinoved, and both heads are cleared in the same way. To clear thetube, one of the cocks remains in the position denoted in 3, communicating with the boiler, the other ,cock turnedfto the position in lfig. 4, communicating from the tube to the atmosphere, so that the steam or water, as the lcase 'may bc', under the pressure, rushing out through the tube, will cleanse the'tube and remove all 'obstructions therefrom, and 'when .the several parts or channels' are thus relieved, turn the cocks again to the position in 6g. 3, and the gauge is set for use and in perfect order. By` this arrangement the gauge may be frequently tested, to'be sure of its proper working, and thus render certain that which has heretofore been a-dangerous uncertainty.

I)am aware of the patent of Paul Stillman, July 31, 1855, and disclaim anything therein contained.

I do not wish to be understood as broadly claiming `the application of' a three-way cock to a water-gauge for steam-boilers, 'as such, I am aware, are not new.

Having thus fully described my'invention, what claim as new and useful, rnd desire to secure byjlhetters Patent, is

. VThe arrangement of the three-way cocks b ande, with their respective-outlets G, in combination with .the

rtube E, the-connections D,.so'as to operate substantially in the manner and for. the purpose herein set forth.

J.- S. HUNTER.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL' F. JoNns, WM, W. SHIPMAN. 

